Pentosan

Pentosans are polymers composed of pentoses. In contrast to cellulose, which is composed of hexose (glucose) monomers, pentosans are derived from five-carbon sugars such as xylose. Pentosan-rich biomass is the precursor to furfural.^[1]

The pentosan content has been determined for many natural materials:^[1]

• 29-25%: oat hulls, cottonseed hulls, barley,^[2] sugarcane bagasse, sunflower husks
• 24-20% wheat straw, flax shives, hazelnut shells, birchwood, eucalyptus wood
• 8% pinewood
• 3% peanut shells

Pentosans can act as heparinoids, glycosaminoglycans which are derivatives of heparin.

They can have an influence on bread quality.^[3][4]

See also

• Pentosan polysulfate, a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan sold for the relief of various medical conditions including thrombi and interstitial cystitis in humans and osteoarthritis in dogs and horses